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Besprited
What Besprited is
Besprited is a free, open-source desktop application for creating and animating 2D sprites and pixel art. Its animation tools include layers and frames, onion skinning, and real-time previews; users can work on several sprites at once. Drawing options include a stabilized pencil, Shading Ink, custom brushes, RotSprite rotation, and layer blend modes. Besprited supports making and using palettes, plus canvas tiling for drawing repeating patterns.
The application opens and saves Aseprite .ase and .aseprite files, though some newer Aseprite features are not supported yet. Other supported formats include GIF, PNG sequences, sprite sheets with JSON data, WebP, QOI, BMP, TGA, PCX, ICO, and FLI/FLC. It also supports JavaScript scripting and themes with custom fonts. Besprited is licensed under GPLv2, with releases for Windows, macOS on Intel and Apple Silicon, and Linux. Linux packages include AppImage, .deb, .rpm, and .tar.gz. Its installation guide explains how to verify release packages signed with the maintainer's personal GPG key. Windows executables are not code-signed and macOS builds are self-signed, so platform security prompts may need to be bypassed. The project directs questions and issue reports to Discord and GitHub issues.
Who it suits
Besprited suits artists and developers creating pixel art or animated sprites, including members of the LibreSprite community. Its supported desktop platforms and image formats fit users who need a sprite editor with timeline, scripting, and theme options.
What it does well
- Animate with layers, frames, onion skinning, and live previews.
- Work on multiple sprites at once.
- Use custom brushes, RotSprite rotation, and layer blend modes.
- Create palettes and repeating patterns with canvas tiling.
- Supports Aseprite files and a broad range of image formats.
- Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
What to know first
- Some newer Aseprite features are not supported yet.
- Windows executables are not code-signed.
- macOS builds are self-signed and may prompt security bypasses.
Limits
Some newer Aseprite features are not supported. Windows executables are not code-signed and macOS builds are self-signed, so platform security prompts may need to be bypassed.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free and open source | GPLv2 · desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux | Free |
As github.com lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the Besprited GitHub page.
- Choose a release package for Windows, macOS, or Linux.
- On Linux, choose an available AppImage, .deb, .rpm, or .tar.gz package.
- Use the installation guide to verify the release package signature.
- Visit Discord or GitHub issues for questions or issue reports.
Verdict
Choose Besprited if you want a free desktop sprite and pixel-art editor with animation, multiple file formats, and releases for Windows, macOS, or Linux. Look elsewhere if you depend on newer Aseprite features or require code-signed Windows executables and macOS builds.
Questions
Is Besprited free?
Yes. Its listed plan is free, and it is open source under GPLv2.
Which platforms are supported?
Releases are available for Windows, macOS on Intel and Apple Silicon, and Linux.
Which file formats can Besprited open or save?
It opens and saves Aseprite .ase and .aseprite files, and supports GIF, PNG sequences, sprite sheets with JSON, WebP, QOI, BMP, TGA, PCX, ICO, and FLI/FLC.
Does it support Aseprite files?
Yes, it opens and saves .ase and .aseprite files, though some newer Aseprite features are not supported yet.
How can users verify a release package?
The installation guide gives steps for checking its signature using the maintainer's personal GPG key.
Where can users get help?
The project directs users to its Discord community and GitHub issues.
Facts from Besprited's own pages
- Animation
- It supports layers and frames, onion skinning, and real-time animation previews. · besprited.veritaware.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The maker describes Besprited as intended for artists and developers and says the LibreSprite community is part of its audience. · veritaware.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Drawing tools
- Features include a stabilized pencil, Shading Ink, custom brushes, RotSprite rotation, and layer blend modes. · besprited.veritaware.com, 11 Oct 2026
- File formats
- The repository says it opens and saves Aseprite .ase/.aseprite files and supports GIF, PNG sequences, sprite sheets with JSON data, WebP, QOI, BMP, TGA, PCX, ICO, and FLI/FLC; some newer Aseprite features are not supported yet. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2026 · github.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Multiple sprites
- Users can work on several sprites at once. · besprited.veritaware.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Palettes and tiling
- Users can make or use palettes and draw repeating patterns with canvas tiling. · besprited.veritaware.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Platforms and packages
- Releases are provided for Windows, macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon), and Linux, including AppImage, .deb, .rpm, and .tar.gz packages. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Platform security caveat
- The guide says Windows executables are not code-signed and macOS builds are self-signed, so users may need to bypass platform security prompts to run them. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Besprited is an application for creating and animating 2D sprites and pixel art. · besprited.veritaware.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Release verification
- The installation guide says each release package is signed with the maintainer's personal GPG key and gives steps to verify its signature. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Scripting and themes
- The project supports JavaScript scripting and themes with custom fonts. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Security reporting
- The security policy asks users to report vulnerabilities through a new GitHub issue using the Code quality template and the security label. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Support and community
- The project directs users to its Discord community and GitHub issues for questions and issue reports. · besprited.veritaware.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where Besprited stands on Freedom251
- Pixel Art Software#5 of 70